D E H R A D U N    E D I T I O N

No care centre for the stigmatised
Dehradun, November 9
Shunned by relatives and friends, the lives of teenaged girls in a village in Tehri district could have been different if only the State AIDS Control Programme Society had taken the initiative to set up care centres.

Police needs to be people-friendly: Governor
Dehradun, November 9
Uttarakhand Governor BL Joshi has advocated modernisation of the Uttarakhand police in step with the changing times and in view of the state’s long international borders.

Uttarakhand Governor B.L. Joshi greets parade commanders on the State Foundation Day. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

SI Neelam Rawat honoured 
Dehradun, November 9
Where others failed to achieve any breakthrough in two-year-old murder case; in June this year, Sub Inspector Neelam Rawat succeeded in arresting the accused, after she conducted re-investigations into the case from the beginning. Four months later, this officer added another feather in her cap by solving another blind murder case.

DGP Subhash Joshi honours SI Neelam Rawat.

Nine more officers felicitated
As many as 9 Uttarakhand Police officials who received the Police Medal on the Republic Day parade were felicitated by the Governor. They were:

Capital Issue Tiwari leads protest rally
Dehradun, November 9
Reiterating their demand for permanent capital status for Gairsen, many organisations took out a rally on State Foundation Day. Led by P.C. Tiwari, the protesters started from the state agitation martyrs memorial and proceeded to the Chief Minister’s residence.

1,206 IIT students awarded degrees
Roorkee, November 9
Noted economist and former ambassador to the US Prof Abid Hussain has stressed on the need for moral development of students for betterment of society.

Grant for statehood activists
Dehradun, November 9
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major-Gen B.C. Khanduri (retd) today announced a grant of Rs 3,000 per month to activists who were imprisoned for seven days during the statehood agitation.

Spread Indian thought, says Joshi
Haridwar, November 9
To spread Indian philosophy to the rest of the world, ‘granths’ and the Vedas should be translated into foreign languages so that more people get the knowledge of Indian philosophy and culture. This was expressed by Uttarakhand Governor B.L. Joshi at the 53rd annual 'Akhil Bhartiya Darshan Parishad' conference being held at Gurukul Kangri University here.

Five-yr-old girl falls into manhole, dies
Dehradun, November 9
A five-year-old girl yesterday died after she fell into an open manhole in National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH). 

Five city slums to get a makeover
Dehradun, November 9
As many as five slum dwellings in the city are up for a makeover as the Municipal Corporation authorities put up their Detail Projects Reports for approval consideration in the Board meeting slated to begin on November 11.

Ek Kabira touches untouchability
Dehradun, November 9
The play Ek Kabira presented a sharp critique of society in medieval India that was bitterly divided on caste and religious lines. Held under the aegis of Nishta Kala Kendra Society, Almora, and organised by the State Culture Department as part of statehood celebrations.

A scene from “ Ek Kabira ”. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Fire breaks at Kankhal power sub-station
Haridwar, November 9
A fire broke out in the electricity sub-station located at Kankhal near Anand Mayi Ashram here today. Electricity supply to the areas of Nirmal Bagh and villages of Jagjitpur remained suspended due to the fire. Equipment worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed although no human loss was reported.

Oak Grove, Welham are overall champs
Dehradun, November 9
Oak Grove School won the overall championship in the boys group at the 63rd Annual District Athletic Meet at Maharana Pratap Sports College here. Col. Brown School won the best march past trophy in the boys group.

Gaurav, Shwati win TT titles
Dehradun, November 9
Gaurav Karnatak and Shwati Sharma emerged winner of the Table Tennis Tournament organised by District Sports Office on the 8th Foundation Day of the State today. In the final’s Gaurav Karnatak defeated Sarthak Chaudari 11-9, 11-5 and 11-7. In women final’s Shwati Sharma beat Bhawana Harbola 11-7, 11-6 and 11-6.

No care centre for the stigmatised
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Shunned by relatives and friends, the lives of teenaged girls in a village in Tehri district could have been different if only the State AIDS Control Programme Society had taken the initiative to set up care centres.

Despite the rise in HIV positive cases in the state, such centres with hospice facilities for patients facing ostracism is unfortunately not on the priority list of the AIDS Control Society.

Take the case of two sisters hailing from a little known village of Anthwalgaon (Tehri district). Believed to be HIV positive, they were abandoned by relatives and confined to a dingy room as punishment.

The girls had been infected by their parents while living in Mumbai. After the death of their parents, the orphaned sisters were brought back to their village by an uncle. Now, on the intervention of the administration, they will undertake tests at Doon Hospital.

"The detection of HIV positive cases in the hills should act as a wakeup call for the medical fraternity that was unwilling to accept that the virus could strike these hill area,” informed Gaurav Dwivedi, secretary of Sarvjan Sewa Sansthan, an NGO that provides support to HIV positive and AIDS patients.

While stigma is a major concern in societies undergoing transition, especially in the hills, "social boycott of patients and their families can be devastating. In most cases, ties are put to test when a situation of this magnitude arises. Governments can play a major role by setting up care centres as also permanent centres for providing support to the patients," said Dwivedi.

Well into the third phase of the centrally funded National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), the department has not even conceived a programme that may hold out hope for HIV positive patients whose existence is hell due to the stigma attached to the disease.

As per the programme guidelines such patients ought to be brought to care centres where they can be kept for 15 days until their condition stabilises, have sufficiently recovered and their confidence restored.

Admitting that there was no care centre in the state, additional project director Dhayani said: "Care centres were to be established during the second phase of the NACP in Dehradun," but remained non-committal about the reasons behind ignoring such an important component of AIDS management. 

Police needs to be people-friendly: Governor
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Uttarakhand Governor BL Joshi has advocated modernisation of the Uttarakhand police in step with the changing times and in view of the state’s long international borders. Addressing a ceremonial parade at Police Lines here on the State Foundation Day, the Governor said:

“ We need sophisticated arms and a better intelligence network.” He was all praise for initiatives towards introducing GPS-based vehicle tracking systems and CCTV cameras.

Referring to the 2010 Maha Kumbh, Governor Joshi said the police had an important role in managing security arrangements for one of the biggest religious events in the country.

The Governor called upon one and all to remain alert against divisive forces. He stressed on collective efforts towards taking the state on the road to holistic development.

Stating that the police needed to make changes in itsd functioning, the Governor said the concept of community policing and tourism police were steps in the right direction, adding a sense of responsibility towards society was a must for the police.

He called upon the police officials to develop a people- friendly approach. “ You must ensure that the common man does not hesitate in visiting a police station and his faith in policing remains firm.”He asked the police to be more sensitive towards women and children.

The Governor said the welfare of policemen and their families should get due priority. Earlier, Uttarakhand DGP Subhash Joshi talked of the efforts being undertaken by the state police towards making policing more effective and accountable.

While ensuring speedy investigations, the police was effectively meeting the challenges posed by Moist forces, he claimed.

As many as 9 Uttarakhand Police officials who received Police Medals on the Republic Day parade were felicitated by the Governor. They were IG (PAC) Ajay Kumar, Assistant Commandant PAC Pushkar Singh Sahlal, Constable Darshan Lal Chitram, Inspector Indresh Chandra Tiwari, Head Constable Harish Chandra Singh and fire fighting officials Shivraj Singh , Chander Singh Jeena, Sita Ram Yadav and Nathi Ram Naudiyal.

The Governor released the first newsletter of the state police. Significantly, the police donated Rs 11 lakh to the Governor’s Relief Funds for Bihar flood victims.

The parade concluded with a display by three Jaguars piloted by Wg Cdr Harshvardhan Thakur, Wg Cdr Manoj and Sq Ldr K Bharat that moved into formation amidst applause from the crowds. 

SI Neelam Rawat honoured 
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Where others failed to achieve any breakthrough in two-year-old murder case; in June this year, Sub Inspector Neelam Rawat succeeded in arresting the accused, after she conducted re-investigations into the case from the beginning. Four months later, this officer added another feather in her cap by solving another blind murder case.

And recognising her hard work and dedication towards the job, Uttarakhand DGP Subhash Joshi today honoured Rawat during the state’s 8th foundation day.

Notably, on August 25, 2006, Ram Singh (48), a resident of village Bassowal was found in a pool of blood on Shimla Bypass. The brother of the deceased had lodged a complaint of murder against unidentified persons at Sahaspur police station but later the cops declared that Ram Singh died because of accident.

From the date of incident till December 2007, as many as five Investigating Officers (IOs) including Rakesh Rawat, Mahesh Joshi, Anil Joshi, S.S.Bisht and Pardeep Dobhal, were changed but none of them managed to solve the case.

In January 2008, Neelam was designated as the Investigating Officer (IO). Neelam started fresh investigations and got the inspection done of Ram Singh’s bike and found that technical report of the bike was completely different from the report which was submitted earlier.

“Earlier, it was mentioned that bike was damaged in the accident but during inspection, it was found that except for the headlight the bike was in good condition.

She also informed, “After lot of efforts, I managed to record the statement of two eye witnesses and a case under section 302 of IPC was finally registered and three murder accused were nabbed on June 8.”

Neelam though admitted that case was very complicated and it was herculean task to solve the case but added that such matters test the mettle of the police officers. The second case that goes to the credit of Neelam is of septuagenarian Kanwal Sood, whose body was found under quilts on a veranda of her home in Jakhan on September 13. 

Capital Issue Tiwari leads protest rally
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Reiterating their demand for permanent capital status for Gairsen, many organisations took out a rally on State Foundation Day. Led by P.C. Tiwari, the protesters started from the state agitation martyrs memorial and proceeded to the Chief Minister’s residence.

The protesters were prevented from proceeding towards the Chief Minister’s residence at Hathibarkala.

Activists from Uttarakhand Parivartan Abhiyan, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, Naujavaan Bharat Sabha and Uttarakhand Sanskrit Manch participated in the rally.

In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, the protesters sought from the state government to spell out its mind over the issue of the permanent capital.

The five-point memorandum also raised the issue of the deteriorating law and order situation, implementation of labour laws in factories, opening of Ramanagar-Kalagarh road.

The protesters accused the BJP, Congress and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal of misleading the people over the issue of permanent capital. 

1,206 IIT students awarded degrees
Vikas Vasudev
Tribune News Service

Roorkee, November 9
Noted economist and former ambassador to the US Prof Abid Hussain has stressed on the need for moral development of students for betterment of society.

He was delivering a speech as a chief guest at the eighth convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, here yesterday. As many as 1,206 students were awarded degrees in different academic disciplines.

"You (students) have to scrutinise the power for truth and truth for power in your life and education is the sole tool for examining the truth," said Prof Hussain, adding that it was the duty of students to make use of education for the betterment of society.

As many as 437 undergraduates were awarded B.Tech degrees, 628 students postgraduate degrees and 141 students doctoral degrees at the function.

Abhishek Gupta of computer science and engineering branch was awarded the gold medal (President's Gold Medal) for toping in B.Tech. Dr G. Pande Medal and Vidyawati Medal for standing first among girl students in undergraduate courses were awarded to Kanamarlapudi Sravani of B.Tech, Chemical Engineering.

The Director's Gold medal was awarded to Rahul Singh of B.Tech (Computer Sc and Engineering).

The IIT, Director, SC Saxena, read out the annual report of the institute.

Four former students were given the distinguished alumni award for 2008. The recipients included Prof Shamsher Prakash, department of civil engineering, University of Rolla, US.

S.B. Budhiraja, a noted management consultant and former president of the Institute of Management Consultants of India, N.K. Patni, co-founder and chairman, Patni Computer Systems, S.K. Hajela, a pioneer in the field of IT and telecommunications were also given the distinguished alumni award.

Khosla national award and Shamsher Prakash research award of Rs 50,000 each was given to Prof V. Radhakrishnan (Trivandrum) for life-time achievement in the field of engineering and Dr Deepankar Choudhary (IIT, Mumbai) for 'outstanding research work' in the field of geotechnical engineering.

Grant for statehood activists
S.M.A. Kazmi
Tribune News service

Dehradun, November 9
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major-Gen B.C. Khanduri (retd) today announced a grant of Rs 3,000 per month to activists who were imprisoned for seven days during the statehood agitation.

Addressing mediapersons on the eighth statehood anniversary, Khanduri said activists who had not been given any benefit like government jobs would be paid this grant.He said a fund with a corpus of Rs 2 crore had been created for the welfare of these activists and a sum of Rs 10 lakh sanctioned for this fiscal year. A committee of senior activists had been formed to take decisions on grant of welfare fund to the needy.

The CM announced that roads and buildings would be named after activists.

Spread Indian thought, says Joshi

Haridwar, November 9
To spread Indian philosophy to the rest of the world, ‘granths’ and the Vedas should be translated into foreign languages so that more people get the knowledge of Indian philosophy and culture. This was expressed by Uttarakhand Governor B.L. Joshi at the 53rd annual 'Akhil Bhartiya Darshan Parishad' conference being held at Gurukul Kangri University here.

In his inaugural address, he said that the task was to make the common man also understand the nitty-gritties of philosophy . — TNS

Five-yr-old girl falls into manhole, dies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
A five-year-old girl yesterday died after she fell into an open manhole in National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH). 

The girl was visually handicapped and has been identified as Mannat. According to police officials of Rajpur Police Station, the victim was a resident of Shahjanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and her parents had brought her to NIVH for admission.

Five city slums to get a makeover
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
As many as five slum dwellings in the city are up for a makeover as the Municipal Corporation authorities put up their Detail Projects Reports for approval consideration in the Board meeting slated to begin on November 11.

Chakshah Nagar, Chander Road Leprosy Colony, Rotary Leprosy Colony Bhagat Singh Colony, Shanti Leprosy Colony and the Madrasi Colony are among the five slum dwellings DPR for which is to be taken up at Board meeting.

As per Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewable Urban Mission (JNNRUM), programme for the slum development, while eighty percent of the expenses are incurred by the Centre, the rest twenty percent is shared by the state and Dehradun municipal corporation on the basis of ten percent each.

Significantly, Khala Basti and Katbangla slum settlements are already been covered in the said scheme. Multi-storey accommodations will come in place of these slums. In a big respite to the slum dewellers, the payments had to be done in installments.

Among the other key issues in the agenda, there is a proposal to provide land to the Jal Sansthan for tubewells and water tanks. Rendering potable water to Dehradun city has been a big challenge.

The issues of revision of house taxes for old constructions and the policy for new houses are also very likely to be taken up for discussion.

The approval for the executive committee’s decision for the renewable fee for gas agencies and the petrol pumps will also be taken up at the board meeting.

Interestingly, the agenda also includes more work accountability for corporation employees. A proposal for fixed timings of the corporation officials to meet with the general public was also brought up by a counsellor. Increasing the honorarium for sanitation committees is also a part of the agenda. The issue of scarcity of sanitary employees is also a issue taken up for deliberations. 

Ek Kabira touches untouchability
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
The play Ek Kabira presented a sharp critique of society in medieval India that was bitterly divided on caste and religious lines. Held under the aegis of Nishta Kala Kendra Society, Almora, and organised by the State Culture Department as part of statehood celebrations.

The play was a visual treat for the audience that watched it unfold at the makeshift stage set up at the Parade Ground.

The message of Kabir Das continues to be relevant in present times. The play brought to light the issue of untouchability and the ostracism faced by certain groups which were shunned by society.

A poet and a preacher born in 1440, Kabir’s life and message were brought to light in the play. Never comfortable with society in which he was living, Kabir Das was critical of it for adopting a discriminatory attitude against certain groups of people who were made to live in separate areas and completely shunned by society.

In the role of Kabir, Mohammed Uvesh performance was good. Of special mention are the scenes with Kabir’s mother played by Sunita Arya.

Fire breaks at Kankhal power sub-station
Sandip Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 9
A fire broke out in the electricity sub-station located at Kankhal near Anand Mayi Ashram here today. Electricity supply to the areas of Nirmal Bagh and villages of Jagjitpur remained suspended due to the fire. Equipment worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed although no human loss was reported.

It took more than an hour for the firefighters to control the fire in the 33 KV sub station. Since the fire extinguishers at the sub-station were not working, the employees failed to control the fire initially. Executive engineer, Anil Verma said that he was aware about the empty fire extinguisher at the sub-station. The incident could have been avoided if proper fire safety measures would have been taken on time.

Oak Grove, Welham are overall champs
Vishal Thakur

Dehradun, November 9
Oak Grove School won the overall championship in the boys group at the 63rd Annual District Athletic Meet at Maharana Pratap Sports College here. Col. Brown School won the best march past trophy in the boys group.

In the girls category, Welham Girls School won the overall championship and Hope Town School won the best march past trophy.

The individual trophies were won by Solomun (Moravian School), Prem Pratike (Oak Grove), Rajar Ranu (Oak Grove), Bojpal (RIMC), Nikhil (Asian), Allenekk (Moravian), Kishan (Welham Boy), Raj Kumar Parihar (Dehradun Police), Solanki Mazumder (Town Hall), Saloni Verma (Oak Grove), Shruti (Oak Grove), Angelica (Welham Girls), Medha Dutt (Welham Girls), Vedika (Welham Girls) and Risha (Open Women).

Nikhil Chandari of Asian School won the 100m race, clocking 11:69 seconds in the final heat of the u-16 category. Shohib of Oak Grove School was placed second and Javed Siddique of Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy stood third.

In the men open section, Raj Kumar of Dehradun Police won the 100 sprint clocking 11:55 seconds, Arvind Bharthwal (Dehradun Police) stood second and Shohib of Oak Grove won the bronze.

In the 100m girls, Anjali (Hopetown School) clocked 13:19 sec to clinch gold in section ‘G’, Shailja of (Oak Grove) won the silver and Sabrina Sidhu (Welhams School) settled for the bronze.

Kala Chand (Dehradun Police) emerged winner in 200m men’s open. He clocked 23:55 seconds, followed by Arvind Bharthwal (Dehradun Police) and Pranav Rana (Asian School). Sharmistha won the 200m in the open section, Anchal of Welham Girls finished second and Ritu (Kaniya Gurukul) took the third spot.

In 1500m open, Abishek Dammu (RIMC) clocked 4:48:20 second to win the gold, N. Joshi (Doon School) stood second and Abhishek Nand (RIMC) won the bronze.

In u-14 (boys), Lalit Panchal (Asian School) jumped 5.70 m in the long jump event to grab the gold, Arigat Negi (Cambrian Hall) won the silver and Robin Rain (Moravian School) had to settle for bronzes.

Akash Deep Rawat (Col. Brown School) won gold in shot put, Arjun (RIMC) won silver and Khatri Karan (GRD Niranjanpur) won bronze.

In open category, Kashmira (Moravian) threw 19.13m to win the javelin girls gold, Nishtara (Welham Girls) won silver and Somya Singh (Welham Girls) took bronze.

In u-18 discus throw: Amit Gupta (Doon School) took gold, Kaustabh (RIMC) won silver and Harsh (Asian) won the bronze.

Gaurav, Shwati win TT titles
Vishal Thakur

Dehradun, November 9
Gaurav Karnatak and Shwati Sharma emerged winner of the Table Tennis Tournament organised by District Sports Office on the 8th Foundation Day of the State today. In the final’s Gaurav Karnatak defeated Sarthak Chaudari 11-9, 11-5 and 11-7. In women final’s Shwati Sharma beat Bhawana Harbola 11-7, 11-6 and 11-6.

Dehradun men and women’s team cruised to the finals here yesterday. In both categories, Dehradun will clash with Udham Singh Nagar for the top honour.

In the first semifinal (men), Udham Singh Nagar beat Tihari 3-0. Mohit Bisht beat Hemraj 11-3, 11-6 and 11-8. In the second singles match, Ravi Rawat defeated Rajat Praman 11-7, 11-6 and 11-5. Dinesh Rana beat Vikas Negi 11-4, 11-3 and 11-5.

In the second semifinal, Dehradun defeated Chamoli 3-0. Sarthak beat Mayank 11-8, 11-6 and 11-4. In the second singles match, Gaurav beat Harbajan 11-6, 11-3 and 11-6 and in the last match, Sanjeev beat Prashant 11-3, 11-5 and 11-5.

In the first women semifinal, Dehradun beat Chamoli 3-0. Bhawana Hardola beat Ankita 11-3, 11-5 and 11-1. In the second match, Shwati Sharma defeated Rajni Dimri 11-3, 11-1 and 11-2. Vinita Bhatt beat Mukti 11-2, 11-4 and 11-4.

In second women semifinal, Udham Singh Nagar defeated Almora 3-2. Monika beat Chetan 11-2, 11-4 and 11-1. Ekta beat Manisha 16-14, 11-4 and 11-8. Gagan Deep beat Mukti 11-8, 11-3 and 11-5. Ekta beat Monica 11-7, 16-14, 7-11 and 11-8. Minakshi defeated Chetan 11-4, 11-2 and 11-2.